EC expected to extend import tariffs on subsidised US biodiesel

28 May 2009 11:25  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS News)--The European Commission is expected to call for an extension of antidumping and anti-subsidy duties on biodiesel imports from the US, an industry group said on Thursday.

“Our case is strong…there are no claims from the US importers that would really damage the proposals…we believe that the current proposal is the right one,” said Amandine Lacourt, of the European Biodiesel Board.

Many producers and organisations linked to biodiesel in the EU said they were confident the proposals would be accepted, based on the fact that the temporary tariffs were put into effect in the first place.

The commission - the executive arm of the EU, which oversees trade policy - was presenting its proposal to a committee of trade experts who were expected to reach a decision towards the end of Thursday or on Friday.

The decision must then be endorsed by EU ministers next month. If the proposal is accepted then ‘definitive’ or permanent tariffs would be put in place for up to five years.

Temporary duties on the imports of subsidised biodiesel, known as B99, were imposed in March following a probe prompted by a complaint from EU producers.

A spokesman for the European Commission declined to comment.

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By: Alexander Nimmo
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